The different types of dental sedation

Going to the dentist may feel overwhelming at times because there is a lot about the procedures and practices that you may not know. Many people may feel fearful or anxious when it comes time to go to the dentist, but that doesn’t mean that you should skip your regular cleanings. In fact, according to the CDC, 31.6 percent of adults have untreated dental cavities. Without getting those taken care of right away, the problem can get much worse. 

If you are someone who is quite fearful of the dentist, you may be someone who would benefit from sedation dental care. There are a few different types of dental sedation that can be used. They are usually used for different reasons and different procedures, but at some point, you will likely come into contact with all of them. 

In order to make you feel more comfortable and understanding of the dentist’s office and the practices that are used there, we are going to break down the three main types of sedation, when they are used and what you need to know about each. 

Laughing gas

The official name for laughing gas is nitrous oxide, but you are likely to know it as the former. Laughing gas is administered through a nose apparatus that will allow you to breathe in the gas. This is helpful because it will start working very quickly and the effects are very mild. 

The reason that many people like this form of sedation is because patients are still conscious when using it. The purpose is to help relax patients. Patients are often even able to drive themselves home after their procedure because the gas wears off very quickly. 

This type of sedation would be used in order to reduce anxiety and pain. It is a great option for those who don’t want to feel the effects of sedation after the procedure is over and can be a great choice for children as well. 

IV sedation

There are two different types of IV sedation that you can receive. One is a “twilight” sedation, which means that you will be conscious, but not very aware of your surroundings. This type of sedation dental care will make you feel very sleepy and may make it so you don’t remember any of your procedure after it is over. 

The second type of IV sedation is general anesthesia. You are likely already very familiar with this because it is used in many other settings outside of dental care. This will be used on patients who require significant dental work and will need to be totally unconscious. This will need to be administered in a specialized clinic, with a nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist. 

Oral sedation

Oral sedation is another form of conscious sedation. Your dentist will prescribe you a dose of an anxiolytic to take before your procedure. This can help you reduce fear and anxiety beforehand. Sometimes this will require you to take a pill the night before and one an hour before the procedure. Like some of the other forms of sedation dental care, oral sedation will leave you awake, but significantly more relaxed. 

This is a great tool to use for those who suffer significantly from dental fear and anxiety. 

If you have any questions about minimal sedation, contact Midwest Sedation Consultants today! We can help answer any questions and get you certified to provide minimal sedation!